Circuit breaker mechanism



Oct 20, 1953 R. c. VAN slcKLE 2,656,430

CIRCUIT BREAKER MECHANISM Roswell C. Von Sickle.

. @www Oct. 20, 1953 R. c. VAN slcKLE 2,656,430

CIRCUIT BREAKER MECHANIS Filed June 2l, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 LLC?) Fig.2.

mvENToR Roswell C Von Sickle.

. BY |47 |49 @www WITNESSES: 7M.

Oct. 20, 1953 R. c. VAN slcKLE 2,656,430

CIRCUIT BREAKER MECHANISM Filed June 21,11951 3 sheets-sheet 5 |554 mi f7 Roswell C.Von Sickle.

Patented Oct. 20, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Roswell C'. Van Sickle, Pittsburgh, Pa., assigner to` Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation: of Pennsylvania Application June 2l, 1951.,y Serial No..232,7.76.

10` Claims. 1..

'I'his invention relates to circuit breakers and more particularly to circuitv breaker operating mechanisms of the pneumatic type.v

An object of the invention is to provide an improved fluid pressure operated circuit breaker operatingv mechanism which is mechanically trip free and' capable of electing high-speed opening and. quick4 reclosing. of the circuit breaker,

Another object ofV the invention is to provide a circuit breaker operating mechanism operable by fluid. pressure in which the breaker is releasably connected to the operating mechanism by means of an improved high-speed, light-load latching mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved circuit breaker having a iluidv motor operating mechanism including a releasable coupling providing a trip-free connection between the motor and' the breaker which permits high-speed reconnection ofthe operating mechanisrn to the circuit breaker before the breaker reaches full open position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved circuit breaker having a trip-free tripping means, a non-trip-free tripping means and an automatic-trip selecting means responsive to the condition of the closing means for selecting which of the tripping means shall be operated in response to fault conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a circuit breaker having a fluid pressure operated closing means, a trip-freeI latch means, a nontrip-free latch means and fluid pressure operated means responsive to thel condition of the closing means for selecting w-hich of the latch means shall be operated to' effect tripping ofthe breaker in response to a fault condition.

Another object of the invention is' to provide 'a circuit breaker with an improved operating mechanism of the`v pneumatic type capable of eliectinghigh-speed operation of the circuit breaker and operating piston and quick reversal of the moving parts.

Another object ofl the4 invention is to provide a circuit breaker with an improved operating mechanism of' the pneumatic type capable oi effecting high-speed opening and quick reclosing of the circuit breaker upon initial opening thereof by a fault condition.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to structure and operation, together With additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the follow- 2 ing detailed description. of a single embodiment thereoi when read in. conjunction with the ac companying drawings.

In. said drawings:

Figure 1 isa side elevational view 0f a circuit breaker operating mechanism embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 isv aI vertical sectional' viewv taken substantially on line' II-II of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line III- III of Fig. 2; showing the trip-free and non-trip-free latches;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on lines IV--IV of Fig. 1 showing the valve mechanism for controlling the admission of uid' pressure to the operating cylinder;v

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, taken on line- V-V of Fig; 1 showing the throttlel valve mechanism and the automatic latch selection mechanism;

Fig. 6; is a sectional view takenA on line Vil-VI ot'lfig. 5showing the throttle valve and the piston for operating the trip seIector mechanism;

Fig; 7" is a fragmentary elevational View` of the latching mechanism showing the parts tripped by the tripefreelatch but before the breaker has moved' to: the fullopen position; and

Fig.. 8v isl a view' similar to Fig. l" but showing the parts in the-open position after being tripped byk the non--trip-free latch.

Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings, the circuit breaker H' which isillustratedl di'agrammaticall'y, mayY be: of any conventional' construction either oil-break, air-break or gas-blast type and is adapted tobe operated to the open position by means of an accelerating spring i3. The circuit breaker is adapted to be operated to the closed position by means of an operating mechanism which in the embodiment shown is of the compressedfluid type. The operating mechanism includes an operating' cylinder l1 closed at its upper endby a plate i9 and at its lower end by a bottom plate 20- secured together by means of bolts 2l (Fig. l). Mounted in the operating cylinder Il (Fig. 2*)y is. an operating piston 23 having secured thereto a piston rod 25 which is slidable through a, substantially air-tight opening in the plate I9. Rigidly secured to: the upper end of they piston rod 25 is a coupling 21 which is releasably connected. to a coupling 29 rigidly secured to a breaker operating rod 3| by means of an inverted toggle comprising toggle links 33 and 35.. The breaker operating rod*r 3l isY operatively connected to the circuit breaker H by means of a suitable linkage.

The toggle link 33 comprises a pair of spaced parallel links pivotally connected by means of a pivot pin 31 to the coupling 21. The toggle link 35 comprises a single link disposed between the links 33 and is pivotally connected by means of a pivot pin 39 to the coupling 29. The toggle links 33 and 35 are pivotally connected together by means of a knee pivot pin 4|.

In order to provide for straight-line movement of the piston rod 25 and the breaker operating rod 3|, and to assist the trip-free toggle 33--35 in maintaining the breaker closed, each of the pivot pins 31 and 39 is provided with rollers 43 and 44, respectively, there being a roller 43 mounted on each end of each of the pivot 'l pins 31 and a roller 44 mounted on each end of the pin 39. These rollers cooperate with corresponding vertical slots 45 formed in a pair of spaced frame members 41 rigidly mounted on the plate I9 and extending upwardly therefrom in spaced parallel relation. In order to provide suitable bearing surfaces for the rollers 43, plates 49 provided with slots coinciding with the slots 45 are secured to the outside of each of the frame members 41 in any suitable manner, preferably by welding.

The circuit breaker is held in the closed position by means of a main latch (Fig. 2) and a light load latch mechanism indicated generally at 53. The main latch 5| is pivotally mounted on a pin 55 supported in the frame members 41 and is biased by means of a spring pressed plunger 51 into latchingI engagement with a latch member 59 on the coupling 21. The plunger 51 is slidably mounted on a rod 58 mounted on a cross bar 6| rigidly supported between the frames 41 and is biased by means of a compression spring E3. The main latch 5| is provided with a latching surface 61 for cooperating with the latch member 59 on the coupling 21 and also has a projection 69 carrying a latch roller 10 for cooperating with latching mechanism 53.

The light-load latching mechanism 53 includes an under-set tripping toggle comprising toggle links 1| and 13, a trip-free trigger latch 15 cooperating to releasably maintain the tripping toggle in its under-set position and a nontrip-free latch 16 cooperating with the latch roller on the main latch 5|. The toggle link 1| comprises a pair of links rigidly joined by a cross member 11 and are pivotally mounted on a xed pivot pin 19 supported by the frame members 41. At their free ends the toggle links 1| carry between them a latch roller 8| with which the trigger latch cooperates to maintain the tripping toggle 1 |-13 in its under-set position. The toggle link 13 comprises a pair of spaced parallel links disposed one on each side of the link 1| and pivoted on the knee pivot pin 4| of the trip-free toggle 33-35 outside of the toggle links 33. The toggle links 13 are pivotally connected to the toggle link 1| by means of a knee pivot pin 83.

The trip-free latch 15 and the non-trip-free latch 16 are pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 85 supported in a pair of spaced brackets 86 and 81 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) which in turn are rigidly secured to a cross plate 89 mounted on the frame members 41. Mounted on the underside of the cross plate 89 is a tripping electromagnet 9| comprising a xed magnet yoke 93, an energizing winding 95 and a movable armature 91. A trip rod 99 is secured to the armature 91 and extends upwardly through an opening in the magnet and through an opening in the plate 89,

the upper end of the rod 99 being disposed beneath a latch selector I0 A spring |03 compressed between the cross plate 89 and a spring guide |04 pivotally connected to the non-trip-free latch 16 biases this latch to latching position against a stop |06 mounted in the brackets 86 and 81. A similar spring (not shown) is provided to bias the tripfree latch 15 to latching position against a cross bar |05 disposed between the side members of the toggle link 1|. The under-set position of the tripping toggle 1|-13 is adjustably determined by means of an adjustable stop screw |01 threadedly mounted in a cross bar |09 rigidly supported between the frames 41 and locked in adjusted position by a lock nut A latch checking switch H3 2) is provided for checking the position of the trip-free latch 15. The switch H3 is mounted on the cross plate 59 and the contacts (not shown) are controlled by a plunger H5 which is engaged by an arm 9 of the trip-free latch when the latch is in latching position.

The latch or trip selector bar |l| (Fig. l) is pivotally connected at its right-hand end to the upper end of a channel-shaped lever |2| by means of a pin 23 carried by the side members of the lever |2| and extending through a suitable opening in a boss E25 on the selector bar |0|. The lever |2| is pivotally mounted on a pin |21 (Figs. l and 5) supported on a bracket |29 secured by means of bolts |3| to the frame 41. The lever |2| is retained in position on the pin |21 by means of a nut 33. A spring |35 (Fig. l) compressed between the frame member 41 and the lever |2| below the pin |21 biases the lever |2| in a counterclockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. l wherein a projection |31 on the left-hand end of the selector bar is positioned beneath a tail |39 of the non-trip-free latch 1E and a second projection |4| on the selector bar is positioned out of alignment to the left of the arm |9 of the trip-free latch 15. The selector bar |85 extends through and is guided by a slot |33 (Fig. 3) in the bracket 81. A pin |45 mounted in the bracket 8l' and extending across the slot M3 above the selector` bar |0| serves to hold the selector bar in place.

With the selector bar in the position shown in Fig. l, operation of the tripping electromagnet 0| causes the trip rod 99 to move upwardly moving the selector bar |0| upwardly. Since the projection |31 on the selector bar I0| is, at this time, positioned beneath the tail |39 of the nontrip-free latch 15, this latch will be actuated to trip the breaker and the breaker will go to the open position without disconnecting the breaker mechanism from the piston 23. However, if the selector bar |0| is shifted to the right (Fig. l), by means and under conditions to be hereinafter described, the projection |31 will be moved out from under the tail |39 of the non-trip-free latch 16 and the projection |4| will be positioned beneath the arm ||9 of the trip-free latch 15. Consequently, operation of the tripping magnet 9| with the selector bar |0| in this position will actuate the trip-free latch and trip the breaker free of the closing means.

Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings, in the closed position of the breaker, the latch 5|, which is held in latching position by the non-trip-free latch 16, holds the piston 23 in the closed position in which it is shown against the force after accelerating spring |3 and the force of a compression spring 41 compressed between the bot- 4plate 20 of the operating cylinder in place.

tom of the piston 23 and a disc |49. The disc v|49 is suitably secured to a cylindrical member I5I as, for instance by welding, and the .member |5| has secured thereto a ring |53 supported on certain of the bolts 2| which fasten the bottom The latch 5| is of the slip-off type, that is, the latch 5| is so constructed andarranged with respect to the latch member 59 that it will not itself hold the piston rod down or in the closed position against the biasing forces of the spring |41. The relative positions of the parts are such that the upward thrust of the spring |41 applies a small component of the force through the latch roller 1|) to the non-trip-free latch 16.

The accelerating spring I3 applies an upward torce on the breaker operating rod 3 I, and, since the pivot pins 31 and 39 are constrained by the slots 45 to move in a straight line, a small cornponent of this force is applied through the link 35 to the tripping toggle 1|-13. Due to the tripping toggle being only slightly under set, a very small component of the force of the accelerating spring is applied through the tripping toggle 1|-13 and the latch roller 8| to the `tripfree latch 15.

Assuming the breaker to be in the closed position, it is tripped open by the non-trip-free latch means in the following manner:

When the tripping electromagnet 9| is energized from a suitable source, the armature 91 moves the trip rod 99 upward to engage and move the selector bar upwardly. This movement of the selector bar |0| causes the projection |31 thereon to engage the tail |39 and actuate the non-trip-free latch 16 counterclockwise (Fig. 2) to unlatching position. This frees the latch 5| and the accelerating spring I3, together with the spring |41, moves the latch 5| to unlatching position and operates the breaker to the open position. During the non-trip-free opening movement, the main toggle 33-35 is held in thrust transmitting position by the toggle link 13 which, due to the fact that the toggle link 1I is held in the position shown in Fig. 2, moves clockwise about the pin 83 as a fixed pivot. The result is that the breaker operating rod 3| and the piston rod move upwardly as a unit, the breaker going to the open position and the piston 23 being moved to the upper end of the cylinder I1. The parts are shown in Fig. 8 in open position following a non-trip-free opening operation.

vThe circuit breaker is closed by admitting compressed gas to the operating cylinder above the piston 23 which forces the piston downwardly, drawing the toggle link 33 therewith. Since the ytoggle link 1| of the tripping toggle is held in the position shown in Figs. l and 8 by the tripfree latch 15, the link 13 again pivots about the pivot pin 83 which acts as a fixed pivot, thereby holding the main toggle in thrust transmitting position during the closing operation. The closing force applied to the link 33 is, therefore, transmitted through the link to move the breaker operating rod downwardly and closel the breaker.

Under certain conditions, to be described later, the lever IZI (Fig. 1) is rotated clockwise about its pivot and draws the latch selector bar I0| toward the right. This moves the projection I 31 from beneath the tail |39 of the non-trip-free latch 16 and positions the projection |4| beneath the arm ||9 of the trip-free latch 15. With the parts in this position, operation of the tripping electromagnet 9| causes the projection I4| to engage the arm ||9 (Fig. 2) and actuate the tripfree latch 15 to unlatching position. Thisreleases the under-set tripping toggle 1I-13 and the force of the accelerating spring I3 applied to the tripping toggle immediately causes collapse of this toggle toward the position shown in Fig. 7. As soon as the tripping toggle 1|-13 starts to collapse, the breaker operating rod 3| moves upwardly free of the closing means to open the breaker.

In order to restore the toggle 33--35 to thrust transmitting position to thereby recouple the breaker to the closing means, it is necessary to release the latch 5| which permits the spring |41 to move the piston 23 and the pistonrod 25 upwardly. This is accomplished by means of a projection (Figs. 2 and 3) on the trip-free latch 15 which, after a predetermined movement of the trip-free latch in unlatching direction, engages and moves the non-trip-free latch 16 to its unlatching position. This permits the bias of the spring |41 to force the latch 5| to unlatching position moving the piston 23 and piston rod 25 upwardly. Since the pivot pins 31 and 39 are constrained by the slots 45 to travel in a straight line, the upward movement of the toggle link 33 will cause the link 35 to rotate counterclockwise about the piovt 39 toward the normal inverted or thrust transmitting position of the toggle 313-35. This action through the knee pin 4| and the link 13 moves the link 1| about its pivot 19 far enough to permit reengagement of the tripfree latch 15 under the latch roller 8|. This restores the main toggle to thrust transmitting position and therebyeffectively recouples the piston rod 25 to the breaker operating rod 3| in preparation for a closing operation.

Compressed gas is admitted to the cylinder I1 to close the circuit breakerr by means of an inlet valve device indicated generally at |6| (Figs. 1, 4, 5 and 6). The inlet valve device comprises a main housing |63 secured to the top of the upper plate I9, which closes the upper end of the cylinder, by means of bolts |65 (Figs. l and 5). The housing |63 has a cylinder |61 formed therein which is closed at its upper end by a closure member |68 secured thereto by means of bolts and in which is disposed a valve-operating piston |69. A valve rod |1| having a valve element |13 secured to the lower end thereof extends upwardly through a. guide bearing |15 into the cylinder `|61 and cooperates with the piston |69. The valve element |13 is secured to the valve rod |1I by means of a nut |11 and the valve is biased upwardly to closed position where it is seated against an annular valve seat by a spring |19 compressed between a closure plate |8| and the valve element |13.

A high-pressure chamber |81 in the housing |63 below the valve |13 is supplied with nuid under pressure from a suitable source by means of a pipe |89 (Figs. l and 6). An inlet port |9| above the valve |13 communicates with the operating cylinder |1 by means of a passage |92 (Figs. 5 and 6) formed by a portion |93 (Figs. l and 6) of the housing |63 and a corresponding opening in the plate I9. The inlet valve |13 is operated to the open position by admitting iluid under pressure from the high-pressure chamber |81 to the cylinder |61 above the piston |69 which forces the piston |69 downward in the cylinder |61 and through the valve rod |1| moves the valve |13 downward against the bias of the spring |19 and the high-pressure fluid in the chamber |81.

Fluid pressure is admitted to the cylinder |61 above the piston |69 by means of an electromagnetically operated pilot valve device indicated generally at |95 (Figs. 1 and 4) The pilot valve device comprises a housing |91 secured by means of bolts |99 to the housing |63 of the inlet valve device. The housing |31 is provided with a chamber communicating with the high pressure chamber |31. A valve 203 normally closes off the chamber 20| from a passage 205 communicating with the cylinder |61 above piston |69. The valve 293 is biased to closed position by means of a suitable spring and is secured on a rod 201 which is attached to the armature (not shown) of an electromagnet 209. Also attached to the rod 201 is a normally open exhaust valve 2|| Which closes upon opening of the valve 203 to close a passage communicating the passage 205 -to atmosphere.

Formed in the housing |63 is a cylinder 2|3 in which is disposed a cup-shaped exhaust valve 2|5 (Fig. 6) for controlling a large exhaust port 2|1. The valve 2|5 has a reduced portion 2|9 disposed in a cylinder 22| which is communicated by means of a passage 223 with the cylinder 61 and the passage 205. The cylinder 2|3 above the valve 2|5 is normally at atmospheric pressure by virtue of one or more holes in the valve. The exhaust valve 2|5 is normally biased by means of gravity or a suitable spring (not shown) to the closed position where it is seated on a beveled annular valve seat 225 which is secured to the housing |63 by means of a ange and bolts 221. A chamber 229 surrounding the valve seat 225 and the lower portion of the valve 2 5 communicates with the passage |92 by means of a large passage 23| (Fig. 6).

When the electromagnet 209 is energized (from a suitable source), the rod 201 is moved downwardly closing the exhaust valve 2|| and opening the valve 293, thereby admitting fluid under pressure from the high-pressure chamber |81 through the passage 205 to the cylinder |61 above the piston |69. The duid pressure forces the piston |69 down moving the rod |1| and inlet I valve member |13 to open position to therebyr admit fluid under pressure through the inlet port 4|9| and the passage |92 to the operating cylinder |1 to close the breaker in the previously described manner.

At the same time compressed fluid is admitted to the cylinder |61 to open the inlet valve |13, compressed fluid is also admitted through the passage 223 to the cylinder 22| above the portion 2|9 of the exhaust valve 2|5 in order to maintain the exhaust valve closed during the closing operation of the breaker.

When the electromagnet 209 is deenergized near the end of the closing operation, the valve 203 closes and the valve 2|| opens to Vent the high-pressure fluid from the cylinder |61 to permit the spring |19 to close the inlet valve |13. At the same time, the high-pressure fluid is vented from the cylinder 22| through the passages 223 and 205 whereupon the closing charge of high-pressure iiuid in the operating cylinder |1 and in the chamber |81 blasts the exhaust valve 2|5 to the open position to dump the compressed fluid from the operating cylinder I1. As soon as the closing charge of compressed uid is exhausted from the operating cylinder, the eX- haust valve 2 I5 is restored to its closed position by gravity or other biasing means (not shown).

When the breaker arrives at its fully closed position, the spring 63 (Fig. 2) moves the latch 5| into engagement with the latch member 59 on the coupling 21 to hold the mechanism and the breaker in the closed position.

If there is no fault condition such as an overload or short-circuit in the main circuit at the time the contacts are closed, the circuit breaker will be latched in its closed position as just described. However, if there is a fault condition on the main circuit at the time the circuit breaker completes the main circuit, the trip device 9| will be immediately energized and trip the breaker free of the closing mechanism by actuating the trip-free latch 15.

It was set forth previously that under certain conditions the lever |2| (Fig. 1) was rotated clockwise from the position shown to withdraw the projection |31 from beneath the tail |39 of the non-trip-free latch 16 and positions the projections |4| of the latch selector bar |0| beneath the arm H9 of the trip-free latch 15 in order to effect trip-free tripping of the breaker. Referring to Fig. 6 of the drawing, it will be seen that a small cylinder 233 is formed in the valve housing |63 and a piston 235 is disposed for movement therein. A passage 231 is provided to communicate the cylinder 233 back of the piston 235 with the inlet port |9| (see also Fig. 4). A rod 239 attached to the piston 235 extends through an opening in a nipple 24| threaded into the open end of the cylinder 233. The outer end o the rod 23S is disposed adjacent the lower end of the lever i2| and. the spring 35 which normally maintains the lever |2| and the selector bar 35 in the positions shown also acts through the lever |2i and rod 239 to normally hold the piston 235 at the inner end of the cylinder 233.

When the inlet valve |13 is operated to admit fluid pressure through the inlet port ISI to the cylinder il' to close the breaker, iiuid pressure is admitted through the passage 231 (Figs. 4 and 6) to the cylinder 233 and moves the piston 235 upwardly as viewed in Fig. 6 and toward the left as viewed in Fig. l. This movement of the piston 235 thrusts the rod 239 outwardly and rotates the lever 2| clockwise to position the latch selector bar il for operating the trip-free latch 15 as previously set forth. In this `manner, the trip free latch is selected whenever the breaker closes in against a fault condition with the closing charge of high-pressure fluid in the operating cylinder.

Nhen the inlet valve |13 closes and the exhaust valve 2|5 opens to dump the closing air from the operating cylinder, the bias of the spring |35 restores the lever |2| and the selector' bar |0| to the positions shown in Fig. l and moves the piston 235 to the inner end of the cylinder 233.

Means is provided for preventing trip-ping movement o the latch selector bar Il by the tripping magnet when the selector bar is in an intermediate position. During the horizontal movement of the selector bar lill from one of its selected positions to the other, there is a relatively short space in Which the projections |31 and 14| are out of alignment with the tail |39 and the arm lil, respectively. If, when the selector bar |66 is in this position and is being adjusted, the tripping electromagnet 0| is encrgized, the trip rod 96 will move the selector oar to a position when the longitudinal movement of the bar would cause one or the other oi' the pro-- jections |31|4| to engage the side of the tail |32 or of the arm I9 depending on the direction of movement of the selector bar which could result in possible jamming or damage to the parts.

accorse..

This condition is prevented by the provi-sion ot a projection 24.2 (Fig. 1); on the selector bar IM which, during that intermediate. portion of the selecting movement. when the projections |31 and' |4| are out of alignment. respectively with the tail |39 and the arm. I t9', is, directly below they pin |45 thus preventing upward or tripping movement of theV selector bar |61.. A slight movement of the. selector bar from this position will position the projection |31 beneath thev tail.

|39 or the projection |4| will be positioned4 be neath the arm. ||.9 depending on the direction or.

movement of the bar.

An. automaticv throttle. device: which is effective to throttle the. new of compressed nui-d to the operating cylinder during the. rlrst part of the closing stroke of. the. operating piston on closing operation of the. circuit breaker started from the full open position, and. which` is automatically operated to an open or non-I throttling position: during the. latter portion of the closing stroke to permit compressed fluid to flow to the. operating cylinder at. an increased. rateduring the iinal portion ofthe. closing stroke..

Fluid under pressure is admitted at a relatively'v slow rate by the throttle. device during the first part` of the closing operation to decrease the tendency of the operating mechanism toA slam., A larger' quantity of' compressed huidV is admitted tov the operating cylinder by the throttle device. during the final portion o the closing stroke; thereby providing suiiiciontv driving power to overcome thev relatively heavy contact load during the iinal portion of the. closing. stroke` The. automatic; throttle. means comprises a. cylindrical piston-shaped valve element 243 (Figs 5 and 6) slidably mounted in a cylinder 245- formed in the valve housing |63 and. biased. by means oi a spring 241 to close. an opening 249 in a partition wall 25| which separates; the inlet; port. ISI from a. chamber 253 communicating with the operating. cylinder |1. Attached to the piston valve 243 is a. rod 255; having a shoulder 251 thereon and a reduced portion 253 which. extends through a guide opening in a. closure capv 26|.. The capv 26| is secured by means of. bolts 63 to the valve housing |63 and. provides a stop for limiting' the closing movement of the valve 2.43,y

The; throttle valve 243 is moved. tothe closed. position wherein ity shuts on' the opening or pas'- sage 249: by the spring 241 and is moved to. the open position in which it. is shown by a lever 2.65 (Fig. 5) that isy operated according tothe open. or closed: position or the breaker. The lever 265 is pivotally supported on a pin 21614 on the frame.

member 4,1 and has a cam member 269' rigidly secured thereto which is engaged by: one of the rollers 44 on the pin 35il (see also. Fig. 2f); At its. lowery end (Fig. 5), the lever 265 carriesl an screw 21| which threadedly engages the lever and is` locked in place by a lock nut 213. The inner end of the screw 21| is rounded and engages the. end. of the rodr 255.

In the. closed position of the breaker, the. roller 44 (Fig. 5) holds the, cam member 269 and the lever 65` in the position shown whereinthe screw 21| engages the end of the rodl 255 and holds the valve 243 inthe open position. During. an. opening, operation of the breaker, the roller 4,4 moves upwardly in the slot 45v to the position shown in. dot and dash lines at 44a and, ata predetermined time during; the opening move.-y

ment, clears the cam member 269 whereupon the spring 241 moves the throttle valve 243. to the is. provided v closed position, and, through the. rod Z55- 259 rotates. the lever 365i counterclockvvisa. .the ,movement or the lever being limited by the eu.- gagement. of an extension 2155 of the; lever 2.6.5 with ay stop.` stud 211 on. the frame member 41'., Engagement ofy the shoulder Erlf on the rod 2.55 withy the cap 36| limitsl the closing movement. of. the valvev 2M).v Thus, aty the beginning of a clos-.- ing` operation, the throttlev valve 243i will inv its closed position and' limit the new of compressed iiuid from the inlet port |9.|( through an opening 2'19 (Eig- 5.) controlled by an adjustable. valve element: 2M.

During the first part of the. closing operation,.- the throttle valve. 24.3. is maintained. in throttling position in which it throttles they flow of. com.-

pressed fluid to the operating cylinder l1 a pre-4,

determined amount. At a. predetermined time during; the. closing operation, the roller 44 en gages. a.. cam surface 283 on. the cam. member 269A cau-ses. clockwise rotation of. the4 lever 265.. This movement of the: lever 265 causes the screw' 21| to engage the. end of rod Z55-259` and move. the.l valvey 2.43 to itsv open. or non-throttlins position. allowing` compressed fluid. to flow through the: opening 243,. thereby increasing the rate of flow of, compressed fluid and providing a rela.- tively large driving force during the iinal portion of: the closing operation.

The, operating mechanism. is operable. to eect normal closing. operation of the breaker and. also quick automatic reclosing. operation of the circuit breakerr by means of a suitable control ciri'niitv (not. shown), of conventional type, for electina enerszation of the electromagnet 205.01 the inlet valve: device |35. The control circuit for controlling the. energization of the. inlet valve electromagnet- 20.9,v and the tripping electromagnet 9|.I may be similar to the control circuitY shown in Patent No. 2,408,199.. issued;v September 24, 1946 to James M.. Cumming and Richard C` Curminsham,l and assigned to the. assignee; of the present. invention.

If the control circuit is. setv for quick automatic. reclosing, the inlet valve electromagnet 268 will be energized. at approximately the timev in. the opening operation when thev breaker contacts have separated. far enough to extinguish the are.. Euergization of: ther electromagnet 20a eieets onening of.V thel main inlet valve. |13. Since, at this time, the roller 44 (Fig. 5.); has not. traveled upwardly far enough to clearv the cam member: 269, the throttle valve 243 isv maintained in its' open position and admits a relatively largev amount of compressed fluid to the. operating cylinder to quickly reverse. the movementr of' the. piston. 23. and close the breaker.

WhileV the invention. has. been disclosed in accordance with the Patent Statutes, it is to ber understood that various changes in the structural details thereof may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

I. A circuit interruptor having movable contact means biasedA to open position, operating meansA for said interruptercomprising a cylinder,

apiston in said cylinder operable to close said interruptern a piston rodA attached to. saidv piston and' extending outside said cylinder, a breaker koperating rod, main toggle means havingone end connected to said piston rodandthe otherr end connected to said operating rod, a tripping toggle connected to said main toggle for normollyy restraining the latter in thrust transmittingy position, a trip-free latch normally restraining said tripping toggle in restraining position, trip means responsive to abnormal circuit conditions to actuate said trip-free latch to release said tripping toggle and elect opening of said interrupter free of said piston, main latch means disposed adjacent said piston rod normally restraining said piston and said interrupter in closed position, a non-trip-free latch normally engaging and restraining said main latch in restraining position, and said non-trip-free latch being selectively operable to release said main latch means and eect opening of said breaker while said main toggle means remains in thrust transmitting position.

2. A circuit interrupter having movable contact means biased to open position, operating means for said interrupter comprising a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder operable to close said interrupter, a piston rod attached to said piston and extending outside said cylinder, a breaker operating rod, main toggle means having one end connected to said piston rod and the other end connected to said operating rod, a tripping toggle connected to the knee of said main toggle for normally restraining the latter in thrust transmitting position, a trip-free latch normally restraining said tripping toggle in restraining position, trip means responsive to abnormal circuit conditions to actuate said trip-free latch to release said tripping toggle and effect opening ol said interrupter free of said piston, a main latch means normally restraining said piston and said interrupter in closed position, a non-trip-free latch normally engaging and restraining said second latch in restraining position, said tripfree latch when operated first releasing said tripping toggle to eiiect opening of said interrupter free of said piston and then engaging and operating said non-trip-free latch to cause release of said piston and resetting and relatching of said tripping toggle, and said non-trip-free latch being selectively operable to release said main latch means and effect opening of said breaker while said main toggle means remains in thrust transmitting position.

3. A circuit interrupter having movable contact means biased to open position, power operated means operable to close said interrupter, means comprising an inverted toggle having one end connected to said movable contact means and the other end connected to said power means, a tripping toggle normally restraining said inverted toggle in thrust transmitting position, trip-free latch means normally restraining said tripping toggle in restraining position, said tripree latch being operable to eect collapse of said tripping toggle to cause opening of said interrupter free of said power means, a main latch normally restraining said power means in closed position, a non-trip-free latch normally restraining said main latch in restraining position, said non-trip-free latch being operable to release said main latch and effect opening of said interrupter while said tripping toggle maintains said inverted toggle in thrust transmitting position, trip means responsive to abnormal circuit conditions to actuate said trip-free latch and said non-trip-free latch, and selecting means mechanically operated to two latch selecting positions in response to the condition of said power means for selecting the trip-free latch or the non-trip-free latch for actuation by said trip means.

4. A circuit interrupter having movable contact means biased to open position, fluid pressure operated means for said movable contact means comprising a cylinder and a piston movable therein, means for admitting compressed iluid to said cylinder for operating said piston to close said member, means comprising an inverted toggle connecting said piston to said movable contact means, guide means constraining the ends of said inverted toggle for movement in a straight line, a tripping toggle normally restraining said inverted toggle in position to hold said movable contact means in closed position, a iirst latch normally restraining said tripping toggle in holding position, a main latch normally holding said piston in closed position, a second latch normally holding said main latch in latching position, trip means responsive to abnormal circuit conditions for actuating said first latch and said second latch, selecting means positioned to two positions according to the energized condition of said operating means for selecting a iirst or second latch for actuation, actuation of said rst latch causing collapse of said tripping toggle and opening of said interrupter free of said piston, and actuation of said second latch causing opening of said breaker with associated opening movement of said piston.

5. A circuit interrupter' having movable contact means biased open, fluid pressure means comprising a cylinder and a piston movable thereon to move said contact means to closed position, an inlet valve device for admitting compressed fluid to said cylinder to operate said piston, an inverted toggle having one end connected to said piston and the other end connected to said movable contact means, a tripping toggle normally restraining said inverted toggle in thrust transmitting position to hold said movable Contact means in closed position, a trip-free latch normally holding said tripping toggle in restraining position, said trip-free latch being operable to release said tripping toggle and effect opening movement of said movable contact means free of said piston, a main latch normally restraining said piston in closed position, a nontrip-free latch normally holding said main latch in restraining position, said non-trip-free latch being operable to release said main latch and effect opening of said interrupter while said tripping toggle maintains said inverted toggle in thrust transmitting position whereby said movable contacts are moved to the open position with associated movement of said piston, trip means operable in response to abnormal circuit conditions, latch selector means disposed between said trip means and said trip-free and non-trip-free latches, said latch selector means being positionable to two positions to cause said trip means to actuate the trip-free latch or the non-trip-free latch, and means comprising a cylinder and a piston movable thereon in response to the energized condition of said fluid pressure means to position said latch selector means.

6. A circuit interrupter comprising power means for closing said interrupter, connecting means comprising an inverted toggle having one end connected to said interrupter and the other end connected to said power means, a tripping toggle connected to said inverted toggle for normally restraining the latter in thrust transmitting position, a trip-free latch normally restraining said tripping toggle in restraining position and operable to release said tripping toggle to effect opening of said interrupter free of said power operated means, a main latch normally restraining said power means in closed position, a non-trip-free latch normally restraining said 'main latch in latching position and Operable to release said mainA latch to effect opening' of said interruptor while said tripping toggle. maintains. said inverted` toggle in thrust; transmitting position so that. opening movement. of said interrupter is eiected with a corresponding movement ofy said power means, trip means. for operating said trip-free latch and said non-trip-.ree latch, selector means positioned to two positions in response to the energized condition of said power means for selecting the trip-free latch or the non-trip-free latch for operation by said trip means, said trip-freey latch when operated rst releasing said tripping toggle to effect opening of said interrupter free of said. power means and then engaging and operating said non-tripfree latch to effect release of said power means, and spring means for effecting high-speed resetting and relatching of said tripping toggle to reconnect said power` means to said interrupter at least by the time the interrupter reaches full open position.

7. A circuit interrupter having movable contact means biased to open position, lluid pressure means compressing an operating cylinder and a piston movable therein for operating said movable contact means to closed position, a piston rod attached to said piston, an operating rod connected to said movable `contact means, a main latch normally restraining said piston rod against movement in opening direction, a non-trip-free latch releasably holding said main latch in latching position, a main toggle having one end connected to said piston rod and the other end connected to said operating rod, a tripping toggle for holding said main toggle in thrust transmitting position t-o hold said operating rod in closed position, a trip-free latch releasably hol-ding said tripping toggle in holding position, a trip device operable in response to abnormal circuit conditions to operate said non-trip-free latch and said trip-free latch, a selector member slidably interposed between said trip device and said non-tripfree and said trip-free latches, a lever for operating said selector member, a cylinder and a piston movable therein according to the pressure of fluid in said operating cylinder to operate said lever and DOsition said selector member to one or the other yof two positions to thereby select the non-trlp-free lat-ch or the trip-free latch for operation, said non-trip-free latch when operated eifecting release of said piston rod and simultaneous opening movement of said piston rod and said operating rod, and said trip-free latch when operated rst effecting collapse of said tripping toggle and said main toggle to permit opening movement of said operating rod free of said piston rod and then engaging and operating said non-trip-free latch to eilect release of said piston.

8. A circuit interrupter comprising an operating cylinder and a piston movable thereon to close said interi-opter, valve means operable to admit fluid pressure to said cylinder to operate said piston, a piston rod attached to said piston and extending outside of said cylinder, an operating rod operable to close said interruptor, an inverted toggle having one end connected to said piston rod and the other end connected to said operating rod, guide means constraining the ends of said toggle for movement in .a straight line, a tripping toggle having one end -connected to the knee of said inverted toggle for holding said inverted toggle in thrust transmitting position, a trip-free latch normally restraining said tripping I4 togglev in. holding position, said trip-free. latch.. beingI operable tov release. said tripping: toggle, t@ permit opening movement.l or said operating free yof said piston rod, a main latch normali! engaging and restraining said pis-ton rod against movement. in opening direction, a non-tri-p-free latch normally holding said main latch inv latching' position, said non-trip-iree latch being oper. able to release said main latch and permit; simultaneous opening movement of said piston rod and saidoperating rod when said tripping toggle maintains said inverted toggle in thrustv trans-y mitting position, a trip device operable in response4 to abnormal circuit conditions. to operate said trip-free latch and said non-.trip-free latch, selector means normally positioned to causesaidy trip device to operate said non-trip-free latch and movable to a second pOsition .to cause said trip device to operate said trip-free latch, and means comprising a cylinder and a piston movable thereon in response to iluid pressure in said operating cylinder to move said selector means to said second position.

9. A circuit interrupter comprising an operating cylinder and a piston movable thereon to close said interrupter, valve means operable to admit fluid pressure to said cylinder to operate said piston, a piston rod attached to said piston and extending outside of said cylinder, an operating rod operable to close said interrupter, an inverted toggle having one end connected to said piston rod and the other end connected to said operating rod, guide means constraining the ends of said toggle for movement in a straight line, a tripping toggle having one end connected to the knee of said inverted toggle for holding said inverted toggle in thrust transmitting position, a trip-free latch normally restraining said tripping toggle in holding position, said tripfree latch being operable to release said tripping toggle to permit opening movement of said operating rod free of said piston rod, a main latch normally engaging and restraining said piston rod against movement in opening direction, a non-trip-free latch normally holding said main latch in latching position, said non-trip-free latch being operable to release said main latch and permit simultaneous opening movement of said piston rod and said operating rod while said tripping toggle maintains said inverted toggle in thrust transmitting position, a trip device operable in response to abnormal circuit conditions to operate said tripfree latch and said non-trip-free latch, selector means normally positioned to cause said trip device to operate said non-trip-free latch and movable to a second position to cause said trip device to operate said trip-free latch, means comprising a cylinder and a piston movable thereon in response to iluid pressure in said operating cylinder to move said selector means to said second position, said trip-free latch when operated first releasing said tripping toggle to effect opening of said interrupter free of said piston and then engaging and operating said non-trip-free latch to effect release of said piston rod, and spring means for moving said piston and said piston rod to effect resetting and relatching of said tripping toggle and reconnection of said piston rod to said operating rod.

l0. A circuit interrupter having movable contact means biased to open position, power operated means operable to close said interrupter, thrust transmitting means connecting said contact means to said power operated means, tripfree latching means releasably holding said thrust transmitting means in thrust transmitting position, said trip-free latching means being operable to release said thrust transmitting means and eiect opening of said interrupter free of said closing means, non-trip-free latching means releasably restraining said closing means and said interrupter in closed position, said non-trip-free latching means -being operable to release said closing means to eiect opening of said interrupter with associated movement of said closing means, selecting means movable to two positions to select the trip-free latching means or the non trip-free latching means for operation, means responsive to the energized condition of said closing means for moving said selecting means,

trip means responsive to abnormal circuit conditions for operating said selecting means to cause said selecting means to operate the selected latching means, and means operative during the selective movement of said selecting means to either of said two positions to prevent operation of said selective means by said trip means to actuate said latching means.

ROSWEIL C. VAN SICKLE.

Name Date Boden et a1 Aug. 21, 1945 Number 

